Why Being a Caregiver is Hard on Your Health
Part I: Helping with Money and Medication Is More Stressful than Physical Care
In a study of the effects of stress on caregivers' health, researchers at the University of Arkansas found a surprising link between the type of assistance caregivers provide and the amount of stress they report. "It came as no surprise to us that caregivers are under stress," said Barbara Shadden, director of the program in communication disorders, and co-director of the University of Arkansas (UA) Office for Studies on Aging along with fellow researcher Ro DiBrezzo, director of the UA Human Performance Lab. "What we did find striking is that not all forms of caregiving cause the same amount of stress." Causes and Effects of Caregiver Stress
The results of the study have shed new light on the causes of caregiver stress, as well as the kind of support caregivers need to help them cope. Approximately 45 million people in the United States devote a large portion of their lives to elder care or caregiving for someone who with a disability. Combine that with the demands of jobs, children and marriage, and the product is a tailor-made recipe for stress. Money and Meds Most Stressful
The researchers determined that caregivers who provided more assistance with tasks such as managing money and medications reported more stress than caregivers who were involved primarily in assisting with physical needs. "We believe the reason for this is because these responsibilities are related to the loved one's cognitive function," Shadden explained. "To watch someone, particularly a parent, lose cognitive abilities so that they cannot do the 'thinking' tasks that they used to, is very hard on the caregiver emotionally—and often is actually more stressful than assisting with the more physically demanding tasks such as bathing or cleaning." Gender Differences
The study found that female caregivers tended to provide more assistance with basic physical needs, while male caregivers were more likely to help with activities such as managing finances. However, both men and women caregivers reported that dealing with a care recipient's cognitive and emotional difficulties is harder than dealing with physical challenges. Caregivers Report Lower Overall Health Ratings
All forms of caregiving take both physical and emotional tolls on caregivers. According to their study, Shadden and DiBrezzo found that caregivers reported lower ratings of overall health, higher levels of stress, and lower overall health satisfaction than non-caregivers. Chronic stress has also been linked to several major illnesses—including heart disease and cancer. The Emotional Impact on Caregivers
The emotional impact of caregiving can be just as strong. Shadden and DiBrezzo found that many caregivers are subject to feelings of increased sadness, irritability, fatigue and guilt. These feelings, if left unaddressed, can lead to chronic depression. So what are the best solutions for helping caregivers cope with stress?
The results of the study have shed new light on the causes of caregiver stress, as well as the kind of support caregivers need to help them cope. Approximately 45 million people in the United States devote a large portion of their lives to elder care or caregiving for someone who with a disability. Combine that with the demands of jobs, children and marriage, and the product is a tailor-made recipe for stress. Money and Meds Most Stressful
The researchers determined that caregivers who provided more assistance with tasks such as managing money and medications reported more stress than caregivers who were involved primarily in assisting with physical needs. "We believe the reason for this is because these responsibilities are related to the loved one's cognitive function," Shadden explained. "To watch someone, particularly a parent, lose cognitive abilities so that they cannot do the 'thinking' tasks that they used to, is very hard on the caregiver emotionally—and often is actually more stressful than assisting with the more physically demanding tasks such as bathing or cleaning." Gender Differences
The study found that female caregivers tended to provide more assistance with basic physical needs, while male caregivers were more likely to help with activities such as managing finances. However, both men and women caregivers reported that dealing with a care recipient's cognitive and emotional difficulties is harder than dealing with physical challenges. Caregivers Report Lower Overall Health Ratings
All forms of caregiving take both physical and emotional tolls on caregivers. According to their study, Shadden and DiBrezzo found that caregivers reported lower ratings of overall health, higher levels of stress, and lower overall health satisfaction than non-caregivers. Chronic stress has also been linked to several major illnesses—including heart disease and cancer. The Emotional Impact on Caregivers
The emotional impact of caregiving can be just as strong. Shadden and DiBrezzo found that many caregivers are subject to feelings of increased sadness, irritability, fatigue and guilt. These feelings, if left unaddressed, can lead to chronic depression. So what are the best solutions for helping caregivers cope with stress?
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